6-20-13
Anacrusis is starting to grow up rather fast. 16 days into life and he already knows a few words, and can sprint a little bit. Today, he tried to groom Flutterheart. I guess he was trying to return the favor. Of course, he didn’t really know what he was doing, so he just sort of licked Flutterheart’s mane, saying “Mommy!”. It was absolutely the cutest thing I’ve seen from him yet. Flutterheart couldn’t help but laugh, as Anacrusis was slightly tickling her. So, I joined in the ticklefest, making sure Flutterheart and Anacrusis laughed until they cried. God, I love being a father. I’ve never been happier in my life than I have these few days after Anacrusis’ birth. Flutterheart’s been a lot kinder, Anacrusis is a lot of fun, and I’m just happy that I’m getting the real chance I’ve wanted for years to show just how much I love my family. Sometimes I want to cry out of happiness. I know that sounds mushy gushy, or stupid, but...I’m just so happy. We’re all happy. I believe this marriage will be better than all the others out there. 50% of marriages end in divorce, but...we’re the other 50%.
Loving his family,
Trey
***
“And remember, I want your homework turned in Monday.” said Cheerilee. “Have a great weekend, everypony!”
The throngs of schoolfoals flooded out of the building. Anacrusis, Chocolate Cherry, and Flutterwing trotted out last, all in one happy group. Flutterwing skipped along playfully, happy to be beside Chocolate and her big brother.
“So what are we gonna do today?” asked Chocolate Cherry, as the three of them trotted along towards the cottage.
“Well, I know what Flutterwing wants to do.” said Anacrusis. She laughed playfully, smiling at the two of them as they continued trotting along.
“Maybe something new, perhaps?” asked Chocolate.
“Sure. Anything for you.” said Anacrusis, smiling at her.
“There’s always hide and seek.” said Flutterwing.
“That doesn’t sound half bad, actually. Maybe tag, perhaps?”
“We have time to do them all.” said Chocolate.
The cottage rolled into view, Trey and Fluttershy on the porch awaiting their arrival. They both smiled as the three trotted along, ready for the weekend, like valiant heroes returning from a recent conquest.
“How was school?” asked Fluttershy, smiling at them.
“It was good.” they all said in unison.
“Ready for the weekend?”
“Yes!” they shouted. Anacrusis gently poked Flutterwing with his hoof.
“TAG! YOU’RE IT!” he yelled, before he and Chocolate Cherry galloped off elsewhere.
“That’s not fair!” yelled Flutterwing, chasing after Anacrusis, hellbent on revenge. Trey and Fluttershy smiled, retreating inside the cottage. They both plopped down on the couch, and Trey flipped on the TV, snuggling against her.
“I love you, Flutterheart.”
“I love you more, Treyngel.”
“I love you most.”
“I love you mostest.”
“GAH!”
***
“No!” yelled Anacrusis.
“You’re it!” yelled Flutterwing, galloping off elsewhere. Chocolate kept her distance, though enticing him to get her. Anacrusis smiled at her, his wild look of determination, taken from his dad, spreading across his face. He tapped the ground with his hoof, like a bull ready to charge, and galloped full steam ahead to catch her.
***
“...the fire was put out shortly, but the family is still in shock.”
“I don’t know how this could have happened...”
“That’s a sad story, indeed. Our next story is perhaps even sadder. Dinky Doo, the daughter of local Ponyvillian Derpy Hooves, lost her long battle to cancer today, passing away at the hospital at 5:30 this morning. Her funeral will be held Sunday, and donations are being accepted to help pay for the service.”
“I...I just don’t know what went wrong...” said Derpy, as tears filled her eyes. “I just want a daughter...that wasn’t too much to ask...was it?”
“A sad story indeed, Anchorcolt. And here’s Forecaster with the weather.”
“Oh, dear.” said Fluttershy, tears forming in her eyes. “I hope she’s going to be alright...”
“Everything will be ok in the end.” said Trey, wiping tears from her face. “And if it’s not ok...”
“...it’s not the end.” she said, bowing her head.
“Do you want to go to the service?”
“...yes. But...please change the channel.”
Trey flipped the station to the cartoon network. Normally, he’d hear this blaring at 7 in the morning, but there was never a bad time to need some cheering up. Fluttershy watched wholeheartedly, leaning heavily against him, trying to push the sadness out of her mind.
***
“Ok...that’s enough...” said Anacrusis, panting. He, Flutterwing, and Chocolate Cherry agreed.
“Hide and seek?” asked Flutterwing. Anacrusis looked over at Chocolate Cherry. She smiled.
“Sure.” she said. “But I get to seek first.”
Flutterwing beamed. “Just don’t go into the everfree...”
“Yeah, that’s off limits.” said Anacrusis.
“Well, you guys had better start hiding. 1...2...” she started, Covering her eyes with her hooves.
Anacrusis and Flutterwing dashed off in different directions, hoping not to be seen as she counted down.
“...18...19...20! Ready or not, here I come!” she yelled, laughing, as she set off to find just one of the players.
His long tail made it almost impossible to truly hide. She carefully searched the meadow and woodlands, short of the Everfree. She checked behind stumps, behind rocks, and under logs in hopes of catching her favorite colt off guard...and alone.
Anacrusis tried to stifle his laughter. She was very near to him, but somehow kept missing him. Anacrusis saw her look his way. He then looked at his tail, seeing that it was partially open. He didn’t dare move it, for fear of rustling the leaves. He held his breath as Chocolate Cherry trotted off elsewhere. He took a deep sigh of relief finding she was gone.
“Found you.”
Anacrusis yelped and fell to the ground, shocked. He saw Chocolate standing above him on the log he’d hidden under, smiling at him almost mischievously. She hopped down, standing over him. Anacrusis blinked up at her as she stared down at him.
“Shouldn’t we go find Flutterwing?”
“I suppose.” said Chocolate, continuing to stare down at him.
“Well...?”
Chocolate rolled her eyes, bringing her head down to meet his, passionately kissing him. She pulled back, as the both of them blushed.
“Still want to go find Flutterwing?”
“...maybe 5 more minutes...” he managed to say.
***
“Time to take you home, Chocolate.” said Trey, sadly. Chocolate hung her head low. It was inevitable, but she loved every minute she spent with Anacrusis’ family.
As usual, Trey and Anacrusis trotted her home. Chocolate Cherry gave Anacrusis the customary kiss on the cheek, and trotted to the door. It wouldn’t budge.
“It’s...locked.” she said, befuddled.
Trey raised an eyebrow and attempted to open the door himself. True to her word, it wouldn’t budge.
“That’s...odd.” he said. He wasn’t exactly sure what to do. He couldn’t just leave her here. Her father could decide to pass out and not come back. However, if he stayed until her dad got back, he’d know she was with him, and that wouldn’t end well for her, most likely. Trey scratched his head, fearing the only plausible solution.
“I guess you’re coming home with us. We can put you up for the night.” he said, smiling at her. Chocolate Cherry beamed as Anacrusis jumped up. The three trotted back to the cottage, where a slumber party was about to occur.
***
“I didn’t really have much of a choice.” said Trey. Fluttershy smiled at him.
“I know. It doesn’t bother me. I think you did a very nice thing.”
“I’m just curious to know what happened to her father. The door should have been unlocked. Something doesn’t seem right here.”
“Well, she’s safe and sound now. That’s what matters.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” he said, joining her on the bed. Laughter rang out upstairs as Flutterwing, Anacrusis, and Chocolate Cherry were having what he assumed was a pillow fight. Trey smiled, looking at Fluttershy. “As long as they’re having fun, that’s what counts.”
“Are we going to be able to sleep tonight?” asked Fluttershy, giving him a slightly sarcastic frown.
Trey kissed her passionately, smiling back at her.
“I’m afraid not.” he said, tossing the covers over them.
***
“Morning, sleepyheads!” said Trey, who was frying up some hay bacon strips as Chocolate and Flutterwing groggily trotted in to the kitchen. “Where’s Anacrusis?”
“He’s still asleep.”
“Lazy bones. Hope you like hay bacon.”
“I’ve never had it.” said Chocolate Cherry. Trey glanced over at her, confused.
“Never?” asked Flutterwing.
“Nope. I actually haven’t had breakfast in a few years.”
“My daddy’s the best at making hay bacon!”
“Well...I don’t like to brag, but...yeah. It’s true. Just sit back and eat. Anacrusis and Flutterwing are bound to gobble them up before you get a chance to eat anything.” he said, winking at Flutterwing.
“Save some for me...” said Anacrusis, trotting in.
“Of course.” said Trey.
After breakfast, Trey and Anacrusis took Chocolate home. She gave Anacrusis the customary cheek kiss, and went to her door.
“It’s still locked...” she said. Trey raised an eyebrow, alarmed.
“That’s...odd. I guess you’re staying with us a bit longer. Let me see if i can find out what happened to your dad.”
“No hurry.” she said.
***
“...was taken to the hospital earlier today after collapsing in a drunken stupor outside of Bartender’s Bar. He’s in critical condition, with alcohol poisoning. It’s not likely he’ll survive.”
Trey and the gang trotted in the door at the tail end of the newscast. Trey, Chocolate, and Anacrusis both managed to catch a glimpse at the subject of the news report. The familiar face was none other than Chocolate’s father.
“Uh oh...” Trey started. Chocolate Cherry froze in place. The room remained dead silent for a few minutes as Chocolate decided whether she wanted to cry or not. She wasn’t fond of her dad at all, but...it was still her dad. They had had good times together before...before her mom died. It...she lost both of her parents...what...where would she live? Could she live with them?
“Cherry...” said Anacrusis, trotting over to her. Tears started streaming down her face as she flung herself upon him, hugging him tightly.
“Do you want to go see him?” asked Trey.
Chocolate Cherry nodded ever so slightly.